Self-controlled irrigating machine



Feb. 14, 1967 G. H. LOOMIS SELF-CONTROLLED IRRIGATING MACHINE 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 25, 1963 Glen H. Loom/s INVENTOR. Q2262.

G. H. LOOMIS 3,303,655

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTO R.

Glen H. Loom/s pal/ 19 and SELF-CONTROLLED IRRIGATING MACHINE Feb. 14,1967 Filed May 23, 1963 Feb. 14, 1967 G. H. LOOMIS SELF-CONTROLLEDIRRIGATING MACHINE Filed May 23, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 on T m g m a a N"3 I! a l Fig. 6

. Glen H. Loom/s INVENTOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 23, 1963 Glen H.Loomis INVENTOR.

United States Patent M 3,303,655 SELF-CONTROLLED IRRIGATHNG MACHINE GlenH. Loomis, Cody, Wy0., assignor of one-half to Jerry W. Housel, Cody,Wyo. Filed May 23, 1963, Ser. No. 282,726 14 Claims. (Cl. 61-12) Thisinvention primarily relates to a machine which is used to irrigate afield.

Heretofore, machines of this type have been utilized in conjunction withsome means to pull or propel the machine along an irrigation ditch. Saidpropelling means usually comprises a vehicle distinct and apart from theirrigating machine which is specifically adapted for use with thestructure of the machine. .However, the irrigating ma chine of thepresent invention contemplates the use of means built into the machineutilizing pressure from the water supply in an irrigation ditch as thesole source of thrust for propelling the machine, as permitted by itsbraking means to be hereinafter more fully set forth, along the path ofthe ditch, at least after movement of the machine is initiated.Accordingly, it is the prime object of this invention to disclose amachine for irrigating a water starved field, which machine has meansincorporated therein utilizing power derived from the water supply in anirrigating ditch to propel itself along the path of the ditch. I

Another object of this invention resides in a novel means on saidmachine for controlling the speed thereof.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a machine of thecharacter specified, wherein a plurality of siphon tubes are sWivellycarried thereon and communicate the water supply in an irrigation ditchwith the field to be irrigated.

Another object of this invention resides in a machine of the characterspecified wherein a water wheel is adapted to cooperate with some ofsaid siphon tubes and to be driven thereby, the water wheel in turnsupplying the power to initially drive the machine, through a gearreduction assembly such as that disclosed in US. Patent No. 1,315,286,dated September 9, 1919, along the banks of the irrigation ditch, and,when all rolling and sliding frictional resistance to the movement ofsaid machine has been overcome thereby allowing the machine to bepropelled by the pressure of the water supply in the irrigation ditchbeing operative to drive the gear reduction assembly at a speedgoverning the maximum speed of movement of the machine along the ditcheffected by water pressure and thereby act as a speed control or brakingmeans for the machine.

Yet another object of this invention resides in the provision of novelguide means depending from the frame of the machine which are adapted tocooperate with the sides of the irrigation ditch whereby the path ofmovement of the machine is strictly limited to the path of theirrigation ditch.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a machine of thecharacter specified which is adjustable so that it can be utilized withany width of irrigation ditch.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a novelvertically adjustable darn means adapted to restrict and confine thewater supply in the irrigation ditch and which in turn constitutes theprime mover utilizing the water pressure in the irrigation ditch topropel the machine.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

3,363,555 Patented Feb. 14, 1967 FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of theirrigating machine constituting the subject matter of the instantinvention and shown straddling an irrigation ditch.

FIGURE 2 is a side view elevation of the machine shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an end view in elevation as seen from the left hand side ofFIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the machine taken substantially upon theplane of line 4-4 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicatedby the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on theplane of line 66 of FIGURE 1 and illustrates certain details of theframe construction of the machine.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along theplane indicated by the line 7-7 of FIGURE 3 and illustrates certaindetails of the water Wheel used in the speed control system of thepresent machine.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the irrigating machinecomprising the subject matter of the instant invention is generallydesignated by the numeral 16 and includes a frame referred to by thenumeral 12 which is adapted to straddle an irrigating ditch 14. Theditch 14 can be concrete lined or merely formed from the earth itselfand usually is trapezoidal in shape and has two side banks 16 and 18.The irrigating machine It) is adapted to straddle the ditch 14 and toaccomplish this end, the frame 12 comprises a plurality of hollowrectangular beams 29, 22, 24 and 26 assembled in a rectangular array asseen in FIGURE 1, by forming rectangular openings such as 28 at the endsof the beams 20 and 24 to slidably receive the beams 22 and 26. In thisfashion, the width of the machine defined by the beams 20, 24 may bevaried in accordance with the width of the irrigation ditch 14. Itshould also be noted that setscrews or clamping screws such as indicatedat 30 and extending through a stationary nut such as 32 on the ends ofeach of the beams 20, 24 adjustably retain the beams 20 and 24 in theiradjusted positions upon the beams 22, 26.

Journaied in the beams 20, 24 are a pair of rear wheels 34 and 36 whichmaintain the frame 12 in rolling engagement with the banks 16 and 18 ofthe ditch 14. A pair of front wheels 38 and 40 are slidably retained onthe beam 26 by means of collars 42 and 44 respectively, which arereceived on the beam. Set screws or clamping screws such as 30 are alsoutilized to clamp the collars on the beam 26. The front wheels 38 and 40comprise guide wheels for the machine and are adapted to be pivotedabout a vertical axis whereby upon a change in the direction of the pathof the irrigating ditch, the irrigating machine 10 will follow thatpath. As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the aforementioned pivot meanscomprise a sleeve 46 attached to each of the collars 42, 44 mounting avertical pivot pin 48 therethrough which also extends through a circularsleeve 50 on a U-shaped bracket 52 attached to the wheel axle.

Also mounted upon the beam 26 is a guide means 54 which restricts thepath of movement of the irrigating machine to follow the path of theirrigating ditch 14. The guide means 54 is attached to the beam 26 bymeans of coll-ars 56 and 58 retained in place by setscrews such as 30.Extending from the collars 56 and 58 are a pair of angulated arms 60 and62 mounting rollers 64 and 66 respectively. The arm 62 terminates in aportion 68 which telescopically receives the terminal portion of the arm60 generally designated by the numeral 70. An adjustable slidingconnection is maintained between said terminal portions and retainingmeans such as 72 are provided for retaining the arms in adjustedposition. As

3 shown in the drawings, the irrigation ditch 14 is generallytrapezoidal in shape and the guide means 54 are so formed as to conformto said shape of the ditch. The rollers 64 and 66 are placed in contactwith the sides of the ditch. It will thus be appreciated, that movementof the machine adjacent the irrigation ditch will be confined due to theshape of the guide means 54 and lateral movement with respect to theditch is precluded because of the contact of the rollers 64, 66 .withthe sides of the ditch.

Attached to the beam 24 at longitudinally spaced points therealong' area plurality of upstanding angle irons 74, 76, 78 and 80. Attached toeach of the upstanding angle members 74, 76 is a pair of siphon tubes 82and 84. The siphon tubes 82 are connected to the upright 74 by means ofchains 86 and 88 connected to a hook 98 on the upper portion of theangle iron member 74. The chains 86 and 88 are attached to suitablebrackets or lugs such as 92 and 94 upon a clamping band surrounding thesiphon tubes. The siphon tubes 82 are adapted to rest on top of the beam24 and extend into a reservoir of water 96 within the irrigation ditch14. Likewise, the siphon tubes 84 are connected to the upright 76 bymeans of chains 96 and 98 extending between a hook 180 at the top of theupright 76 and suitable brackets 182 and 104 on clamping rings about theforward portions of the siphon tubes. The siphon tubes 82 and 84communicate the reservoir water 96 within the ditch 14 with a field suchas 186 which is to be irrigated. It should also be noted that suitablechains 108 and 110 extend from the uprights 74 and 76 to the beam whichserve as sufficient bracing elements for the beams 74 and 76.

With reference now to FIGURES l and 4, it will be seen that a third pairof siphon tubes generally designated by the numeral 112 are supportedfrom the upright angle members 78 and-88. Each of the siphon tubes 112mounts an upstanding lug such as 114 to which is attached a chainsupport such as 116 which in turn is carried by a hook or eye 118 oneither of the posts 78 or 88. Each of the tubes 112 is further supportedat its mid-portion on the beam 24 and extends into the reservoir water96 in the ditch 14. Instead of communicat- A. chains 148 and 150extending between the upright members '78 and 88 and the beam 20.

Connected to the shaft 134 which in turn is connected to the side plates136 and 138 of the water wheel structure' is a flexible cable such as152. The cable 152 is attached at its otherend to a gear reduction box154. The output shaft of the gear reduction box 154 has mounted thereona suitable sprocket which mounts a flexible endless chain 156. The chain156 in turn is connected to a sprocket which is mounted upon a driveshaft generally designated by the numeral 158. As will be apparent fromFIGURE 4, the drive shaft 158 has a tubular center portion 160 in whichare telescopically received a pair of end shafts 162 and 164. Suitablesetscrews such as 166 areprovided to clamp each of the end shafts 162,164 within the tubular center portion 160. In this manner, an integraldrive shaft has been provided which is laterally adjustable inaccordance with the adjustment principle of the machine when it isnecessary to vary the width of the machine in accordance with the widthof the ditch 14. The end shaft 162 is journaled in. a suitable bearing168 mounted upon the beam 24 and the end shaft 164 is journaled in abearing 170 mounted upon the beam 20. Each of the end shafts 162, 164have suitable sprockets mounted at the end thereof which in turn mountflexible endless chains 172 and 174 which in turn are entrained aboutsprockets mounted upon the axles of the rear set of wheels 34 and 36. Itshould thus be appreciated, that upon turning of the water wheel, theshaft 134 will turn the flexible shaft 152 which in turn enables thedrive shaft 158 to rotate at a speed governed by the speed of rotationof the shaft 134, the speed reduction ratio of the gear reduction box154 being such that the input shaft 152 may not be driven by the outputshaft of the gear reduction box 154 such as would be the case if theinput shaft 152 drove a worm gear meshed with a gear wheel on the output shaft. Therefore, the rotational speed of the shaft 134 governs thespeed of the wheels 34 and 36, the maing the water reservoir 96directlywith the field 106, the

siphon tubes 112 deliver water to a Water wheel arrangement generallyindicated by the numeral. 120. The water wheel arrangement 120 is housedwithin a suitable frame or housing 122 having a rectangular flange 124thereabout. Attached to the flange 124 are a pairof upstanding lugs 126to which chain supports 128 are attached. The chain supports 128 are inturn also attached to the eye or hook 118 on each of the posts 78 and80. In this manner, the housing is suitably supported on the frame ofthe machine. A pair of trunnions 130 and 132 integrally formed with thehousing 122 journal a water wheel shaft 134. The shaft 134 in turnmounts a pair of circular side plates 136 and 138 of a water wheel.Between the side plates 136 and 138 are a plurality of angle members 140comprising the paddles of the water wheel to which a force willbe'imparted to turn the' same. It should be also noted that the rear ofthe housing 122 has a pair of openings 142 formed therein to receive theend portions of the siphon tubes 112. It should thus be apparent thatwater emanating from the reservoir 96 through the siphon tubes 112 willbe caused to impinge upon the paddles 140 of the water wheel therebyturning the same before the Water from said reservoir and siphon tubesflows out to the field 106. The housing122 also has mounted thereon bymeans of a suitable bracket such as 144 a wheel member 146 whereby thehousing 122 is adapted to roll along the ground as the machine movesalong the path of the irrigation ditch 14. It should also be noted thatthe upright angle iron members 78 and '88 are suitably braced by mannerto be hereinafter more fully set forth.

Mounted just rearwardly of the guide means 54 is a trapezoidal elongateddepending support member 180. The support member 180 is bolted to therear side of the collars 56 and 58 mounting the guide means 54. As theguide member, the support 180 conforms to the shape of the ditch 14.Mounted just rearwardly of the support 180,

on brackets 182 and 184 depending from the underside of the beams 20 and24 respectively is a slidable darn referred to by the numeral 186. Thedam 186 comprises a canvas sheet which is attached to the brackets 182,184 by means of a rope or the like 188 received in a downturned edge 198of the member 186. As illustrated at 192, the canvas dam 186 is adaptedto extend rearwardly in the ditch 14 thereby to effectively seal aportion of the ditch immediately beneath the frame of the machine 10,and a portion forward thereof. It should be appreciated that thepressure of the water reservoir 96 upon the face of the dam 186 willtend to push the dam 186 forwardly in the direction of movement of themachine. The support 180 is rigid and substantially confines the edgesof Operation The machine is started by utilizing a vacuum pump to drawthe air from each of the pair of siphon tubes. 82, 84

. and 112. Due to the Water head existing in the ditch 14,

14 to irrigate the field 106. At the same time, the water flowingthrough the siphon tubes 112 will actuate the water wheel assembly 120due to water impinging on the paddles 140 which will turn the waterwheel in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 4. The water wheelassembly 120 in turn, will actuate and cause rotation of the shaft 134and thus the flexible shaft 152.. Due to the connection between theflexible shaft 152 and the drive shaft 158, an initial rotation andmomentum will be imparted to the rear set of wheels 34, 36. This willtend to propel the machine forwardly along the banks of the ditch 14.

Once initial momentum has been imparted to the machine to overcome thestatic and rolling frictional resistance of the guide means 54 withinthe ditch 14, the pressure of the water impinging upon the trapezoidalareas of the dam 186 will constitute the sole prime moving force to keepthe machine in motion along the banks of the ditch. It should of coursebe appreciated that a continuous flow of water is fed to the irrigationditch 14 wherein a constant force is kept upon the darn 186.

Once the pressure upon the dam 186 has taken over as the primemotivating force for moving the machine, the water wheel assembly 120acts as a braking mechanism and a speed controller for the machine. Thatis, by selecting the proper size of the tubes and water wheels, gearreduction and sprockets, the speed of the rotation of the wheels 34, 36can be selectively controlled and thus the speed of the machine alongthe ditch 14, which machine speed is governed by the speed of rotationof the water wheel assembly 12, can be controlled.

It should also be appreciated that the guide means 54 constrain anylateral movement of the machine 10 and confine the machine to follow thepath of the irrigating ditch 14. Due to the pivoting of the front wheels38, 40 about a vertical axis, the machine is readily adaptable to followany curves in the irrigating ditch 14.

It should also be noted that the tubes 82, 84 upon the contact of aforeign object along the banks of the ditch 14 can be swung in avertical plane above the ground level due to the chain attachment to theupstanding members 74, 76 to therefore clear the object. It will also beappreciated from FIGURES 1 and 4, that the water wheel assembly 120 andthe siphon tubes 112 are also adapted to be swung in a horizontal planeto clear any foreign objects along the bank. To this end, the flanges124 on the housing 122 of the water wheel have attached theretoangulated arms 194 which are telescopically received within horizontaltubular members 196 and rigidly clamped thereto by means of setscrews200 or the like. The tubes 196 in turn are pivotally attached to swingabout a horizontal axis to two pairs of ears 198 which straddle theupstanding members 78, 80. Therefore, by means of the chains 128 and116, the water wheel assembly 120 and the siphon tubes 112 may be swungin a vertical plane to clear any objects, the water wheel assembly beingpivotable about a horizontal axis defined through the ears 198.

As shown in FIGURE 4, at 202, the dam restraint 180 is verticallyadjustable as is the dam 186 itself by varying the tension on the rope188. Due to this arrangement, water in the irrigation ditch 14, may beallowed to spill over the dam in advance of the machine 14 In thismanner, a similar machine 10 may be placed in the ditch 14 in advance ofthe machine 10 described whereby said other machine may be utilized toirrigate the field 106 by utilizing the same principle as the presentmachine under discussion.

It will also be readily appreciated that due to the various lateraladjustments in the machine 10, the width of the machine may be varied inaccordance with the width of the irrigation ditch with which itcooperates.

Although wheels have been disclosed for use with the machine to propelthe machine along the banks of the ditch, flexible tracks similar totracks on a tractor may be used instead. These tracks are to be mountedupon the machine in a manner similar to that of the wheels and for thepurposes of describing and claiming this invention are considered to beequivalent.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A self-propelled irrigating machine adapted to move along a watersupply ditch assembly having opposite banks, said machine includingframe means, support wheel means journaled from said frame means, waterdelivery means carried by the frame means adapted to communicate Waterin the ditch with a field to be irrigated, and sliding dam means adaptedto be disposed in the ditch defined by said assembly, support meansrigidly depending from said frame means to extend into said ditch on thedownstream side of said dam means and providing continuous rigidperipheral lower portions to conform to the bottom and side walls ofsaid ditch to thereby transmit the side pressure of water on saidsliding dam means to said frame means and enable said machine to utilizethe pressure of water in the ditch to move the frame means along saidditch assembly.

2. In a self-propelled irrigating machine straddling a water supplyditch assembly having opposite banks, frame means, support wheel meansjournaled from and supporting said frame from said assembly for movementtherealong, water delivery means carried by the frame meanscommunicating water in the ditch with a field to be irrigated, andsliding dam means adapted to be disposed in said ditch, support meansrigidly depending from said frame means and extending into said ditch onthe downstream side of said dam means and providing continuous rigidperipheral lower portions conforming to the bottom and side walls ofsaid ditch to thereby transmit the side pressure of water on saidsliding dam means to said frame means and enable said machine to utilizethe pressure of water in the ditch assembly to move the frame meansalong said assembly, and means for controlling the speed of said framemeans along said assembly operatively connected to said wheel means.

3. The combination of claim 2 including guide means depending from saidframe means and disposed in said ditch assembly in advance of themachine for controlling the path of movement of the frame means alongthe banks of the ditch assembly.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said means for controlling thespeed of said frame means includes means for overcoming the initialfrictional resistance to movement of said guide means operativelyconnected to said wheel means.

5. In a self-propelled irrigating machine straddling a water supplyditch having opposite banks, frame means spanning said ditch, wheelmeans in rolling engagement with said opposite banks attached to saidframe means, a plurality of water delivery means carried by the framemeans communicating water in the ditch with a field to be irrigated, aguide means depending from said frame means and disposed in said ditchin advance of the machine for controlling the path of movement of theframe means along the banks of the ditch, propulsion means operativelyconnected to the frame means and disposed in said ditch utilizing thepressure of the water in the ditch to move the frame means along saidbanks, and means for controlling the speed of said frame means and forovercoming the initial frictional resistance to movement of said guidemeans operatively connected to said wheel means, said propulsion meansincluding sliding dam means disposed in said ditch and connected to saidframe means resisting and confining the flow of water in said ditch, theforce of the water on said darn means constituting the prime motivatingforce for the movement of said frame means along the banks, said speedcontrol means including a water wheel drivingly connected to said wheelmeans, some of said Water delivery means cooperating with the waterwheel to deliver Water thereto to drive the same.

6. The machine of claim wherein said water delivery means includes aplurality of siphon tubes.

7. The machine of claim 6 wherein said frame means, guide means and dammeans are laterally adjustable whereby the machine may be used withditches of varying widths.

8. The machine of claim 7 wherein said water wheel and water deliverymeans are swingable in a vertical plane to avoid contact with largeobjects in said field.

9. The machine of claim 8 wherein selected ones of said wheel means arepivotable on a vertical axis whereby the frame means may follow the pathof the ditch.

10. The machine of claim 9 wherein said guide means include rollers inrolling engagement with the sides of said ditch.

11. The machine of claim 10 wherein said dam means is verticallyadjustable.

12. In -a self-propelled irrigating machine straddling a water supplyditch having opposite banks, frame means spanning said ditch, wheelmeans in rolling engagement with said opposite banks attached to saidframe means, a plurality of water delivery means carried by the framemeans communicating water in the ditch with a field to be irrigated,propulsion means operatively connected to the frame means and disposedin said ditch utilizing the pressure of the water in the ditch to movethe frame means along said banks, and means for controlling the speed ofsaid frame means operatively connected to said wheel means, saidpropulsion means including sliding dam means disposed in said ditch andconnected to said frame means resisting and confining the flow of waterin said ditch, the force of the water on said dam means constituting theprime motivating force for the movement of saidframe means along thebanks, said speed control means including a water wheel drivingconnected to said wheel means, some of said water delivery meanscooperating with the water wheel to deliver water thereto to drive thesame.

13. In a self-propelled irrigating machine straddling a water supplyditch having opposite banks, frame means spanning said ditch, wheelmeans in rolling engagement with said opposite banks attached to saidframe means, a plurality of water delivery means carried by the framemeans communicating water in the ditch with a field to be irrigated,propulsion means operatively connected to the frame means and disposedin said ditch utilizing the pressure of the water in the ditch to movethe frame means along said banks, and means for controlling the speed ofsaid frame means operatively connected to said wheel means, said speedcontrol means including a water wheel drivingly connected to said wheelmeans, some of said water delivery means cooperating with the waterwheel to deliver water thereto to drive the same.

14. A self-propelled irrigating machine adapted to move along a watersupply ditch assembly having opposite banks, said machine includingframe means, support wheel means journaled from said frame means, waterdelivery means carried by said frame means adapted to communicate waterin the ditch with a field to be irrigated, sliding dam means supportedfrom said frame means and adapted to be disposed in said ditch, a waterwheel drivingly connected to said wheel means, some of said waterdelivery means directed toward the water wheel to deliver water thereagainst to drive the same.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,718,433 9/1955Poynor et al 61-29 X 2,880,937 4/1959 King 239181 2,918,800 12/1959 Ford239-179 X 3,153,330 10/1964 Melin 61-29 EARL I, WITMER, PrimaryExaminer.

1. A SELF-PROPELLED IRRIGATING MACHINE ADAPTED TO MOVE ALONG A WATERSUPPLY DITCH ASSEMBLY HAVING OPPOSITE BANKS, SAID MACHINE INCLUDINGFRAME MEANS, SUPPORT WHEEL MEANS JOURNALED FROM SAID FRAME MEANS, WATERDELIVERY MEANS CARRIED BY THE FRAME MEANS ADAPTED TO COMMUNICATE WATERIN THE DITCH WITH A FIELD TO BE IRRIGATED, AND SLIDING DAM MEANS ADAPTEDTO BE DISPOSED IN THE DITCH DEFINED BY SAID ASSEMBLY, SUPPORT MEANSRIGIDLY DEPENDING FROM SAID FRAME MEANS TO EXTEND INTO SAID DITCH ON THEDOWNSTREAM SIDE OF SAID DAM MEANS AND PROVIDING CONTINUOUS RIGIDPERIPHERAL LOWER PORTIONS TO CONFORM TO THE BOTTOM AND SIDE WALLS OFSAID DITCH TO THEREBY TRANSMIT THE SIDE PRESSURE OF WATER ON SAIDSLIDING DAM MEANS TO SAID FRAME MEANS AND ENABLE SAID MACHINE TO UTILIZETHE PRESSURE OF WATER IN THE DITCH TO MOVE THE FRAME MEANS ALONG SAIDDITCH ASSEMBLY.